In just my first two visits to Coventry High School, I have already seen many elements of the game of school taking place. The Teachers there are frequently discussing the pages and pages that they have to write and submit regarding their "SLO's" or Student Learning Goals, the lack of materials/how often their materials are not returned by other teachers/students, and the 4 slow computers that the entire science department has to share in a closet sized space beside the teacher's common area.
Seeing how the teachers overcome these obstacles says a lot more about how much they care than talking about how much they love their jobs ever would. I've been told that science teachers with the large lab-table areas in their rooms will agree to switch rooms for a class period with teachers who have the small cramped rooms with only desks or tables. I was also told that a few years ago, the teachers rallied together and applied for grants to get the roof fixed so that they wouldn't need to put tarps and trash bags over their desks to avoid rain damage. It was really impressive to hear about how much work the teachers had put into making Coventry High School a better environment for learning and working.
From what I have seen in the school, in addition to the article on the GOS, it's clear that a positive attitude combined with successful cooperation with coworkers will be the biggest tools necessary to overcome obstacles. But when I say positive attitude, I mean thinking constructively and creatively, not turning a blind eye to problems and pretending that they don't exist. By combining innovative forces, I believe that teachers can form solid teams at their schools and make school about student learning while still addressing all of the unavoidable hurdles that come with the job. This is what I hope to accomplish.
Seeing how the teachers overcome these obstacles says a lot more about how much they care than talking about how much they love their jobs ever would. I've been told that science teachers with the large lab-table areas in their rooms will agree to switch rooms for a class period with teachers who have the small cramped rooms with only desks or tables. I was also told that a few years ago, the teachers rallied together and applied for grants to get the roof fixed so that they wouldn't need to put tarps and trash bags over their desks to avoid rain damage. It was really impressive to hear about how much work the teachers had put into making Coventry High School a better environment for learning and working.
From what I have seen in the school, in addition to the article on the GOS, it's clear that a positive attitude combined with successful cooperation with coworkers will be the biggest tools necessary to overcome obstacles. But when I say positive attitude, I mean thinking constructively and creatively, not turning a blind eye to problems and pretending that they don't exist. By combining innovative forces, I believe that teachers can form solid teams at their schools and make school about student learning while still addressing all of the unavoidable hurdles that come with the job. This is what I hope to accomplish.